Highway renamed after historic figure

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DUCK LAKE, Sask. — A historic stretch of Hwy. 11, spanning from Regina to Prince Albert has been named after Louis Riel.

Signs were put up along the highway yesterday, and Highways and Transportation Minister Pat Atkinson was at the Duck Lake Interpretive Center to show her support for the re-naming.

“Today we are making history by recognizing and honoring our collective past,” she says. “The Louis Riel Trail will link our past to our future.”

Not everyone is thrilled with the new name, however, as Riel was widely considered a traitor. He was hanged in Regina after leading the Northwest Rebellion in 1884 and 1885.

But Northern Affairs Minister Keith Goulet, insists Riel was a hero, and is proud to see the highway bare his name.

“For me this is a very important recognition — a very personal and passionate reflection on my own life,” Goulet told local media.

More than 100 trail markers will go up along 364 kilometres of the well-travelled route.

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